Lawton Public Schools is teaming up with the Lawton Fire Department to get the word out about careers with the fire service as firefighters spend part of their week talking to students about job opportunities.
The recruitment effort is at the instigation of Adam McPhail, director of Workforce Development for Lawton Public Schools, whose job it is to connect students and employers. McPhail said 30 to 35 percent of LPS graduates do not go to college or enter the military.
“We want you to have a career,” McPhail told students at Lawton High School where Assistant Fire Chief Kyle Nyhart and Deputy Fire Chief Brent Baggett spent part of Monday in the training room talking with student athletes. The two spent Tuesday at MacArthur High School talking to students there.
Nyhart went over the qualifications necessary to join the fire department; applicants must pass an agility test, a written test and an interview.
“Opportunity is everywhere,” Nyhart said. “We see a lot of people at the worst times of their lives. We get to do a lot of good. There is a lot of fulfillment in this job.”
Nyhart said student response had been positive. While the fire department attends several job fairs, Nyhart said this format gives them the opportunity to talk to students one-on-one.
“A few perked up and you could see the wheels turning,” Nyhart said. “We hope to open some eyes. Everyone has big dreams and aspirations but it doesn’t always work out. They can come apply with us.”
This is just the first of such recruitment sessions, McPhail said.
“We plan on doing this every year throughout the school year,” McPhail said. “Hopefully, this is the start of other careers coming in.”
LAWTON FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a driver’s license
Attend a training academy, which lasts 6-8 months
Jobs include firefighter, fire prevention and EMT
Firefighters start at $55,000 a year in Lawton and get step increases every year.